Euro 2012 Final: Spain 4-0 Italy - La Roja make history

Vicente del Bosque's Spanish team made history in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, eclipsing the Italians to claim successive European titles along with their 2010 World Cup victory. The 4-0 win was the highest margin of victory in a Euro final and has many people debating whether this Spanish side can be considered one of the all-time greats.

Spain have been criticised for playing unimaginative, defensive football, but they took the game by the scruff of the neck here and dazzled the tired Italian team with some breathtaking periods of possession. Manchester City's David Silva put them ahead with a header from six yards out in the 14th minute and Jordi Alba doubled their lead just before the stroke of half time.

Italy had some close attempts at the start of the second half, the best of them coming from Antonio Di Natale, his second chance forcing a fine save from Iker Casillas. Italy had to play the last half hour with only ten men, after substitute Thiago Motta had to depart the field with a hamstring injury. With 15 minutes left, Fernando Torres came on to replace Fabregas and scored in the 84th minute, all but securing the trophy, and he set up the fourth when he cut the ball back for Juan Mata to nudge the ball home into an empty net. The victory meant they were the first team ever to successfully defend their title and are the first team to win three major trophies in a row.